On the Couch with Constantly Screaming (Frankie McNair and Maddy Weeks)

Who is Constantly Screaming?Constantly Screaming is made up of two mates with a lot of hates – Frankie McNair and Maddy Weeks.

Frankie McNair blurs the lines between stand-up, physical comedy, and a Liza Minnelli fever dream. She’s been screaming on stage since 2017 and since then she’s performed to sell out crowds at MICF as part of ACT Like A Lady, been a Raw Comedy State Finalist, and sold out her first solo show at The Canberra Comedy Festival. Her mum frequently asks her if she needs money.

Maddy Weeks has been screaming on stage for three years. She has performed in sold out shows at the Canberra and Melbourne comedy festivals as a member of comedy troupe ACT Like a Lady and was a 2018 Raw State Finalist. She’s done spots all around the country, sharing the stage with many legends of Australian Comedy. Described as being “relatable yet incredibly confusing” and dubbed as “everybody’s hype man” her high-energy performances are sure to leave you uplifted, laughing, and maybe just a little bit concerned.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
We would not have day jobs and live in a van and travel around screaming jokes at Australia and then the world. Maddy would not own 32 swords she accumulated over the past year. Frankie is perfect.

Who inspires you and why?
Demi Larder. Zoe Coombs Marr. Emma Holland. Tom Walker. These comics are doing comedy that is so authentically them and every time we see them we fall in love with comedy all over again. We buy comedy some flowers. We get real dressed up for comedy. We hold a boom box outside of comedy’s window and shout out “Hey! Comedy! Get dressed! I’m takin’ you out baby!” And then we see where the night takes us.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Maddy would use her swords for good. Frankie is perfect. Nah, for real, I think talking openly about life experiences and how we have gotten through so far is a neat conversation to start, especially with young people. It doesn’t sound like a massive way to make a difference, but for me the honesty of people’s experiences has been one of the biggest things that has helped me and given me a lot of hope.

We are both queer female comedians with mental health issues. The only reason I got into comedy was because I heard my stories being told. I saw myself being represented and it gave me a bit of hope that if it was possible for them, it could be possible for me too. I mean the world is pretty on actual fire at the moment, and I know this doesn’t sound incredibly momentous, but I guess spreading hope by being authentic and open and kind is a way that we can day to day make a difference.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Maddy’s is anywhere in the world that her girlfriend (who is beautiful and she loves heaps) is. They could be visiting a literal on fire garbage can and the two of them would still look cute in pics. Frankie’s is a dark room while looking at campervans on gumtree.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
We are from Canberra (you’re welcome) and the attraction we would take anyone too would obviously be the Rainbow Roundabout (aka; the Gaydabout). It’s majestic. It’s a round boiii. It’s heaps gay. Yum yum yum what more could you want?

What are you currently reading?
Maddy is reading “how to care for your 32 swords – a hands on guide” and Frankie is reading every self-help book that has ever been written. She’s perfect.

What are you currently listening to?
We’ve never not been listening to the entire sound track of Moana.

Happiness is?
Visiting a literal on fire garbage can with the woman you love.

What does the future hold for you?
A sold out run of our super fun standup show Constantly Screaming at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival – am I right guys?! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! We have fun here!

Frankie and Maddy are Constantly Screaming at Pilgrim Bar as part of the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival: 8 – 21 April. For more information, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au for details.